- Longest 0% APR: Citi Simplicity® Card — up to 21 months
- No balance transfer fee: Discover it® Balance Transfer — 3% intro, then 5%
- Best for rewards: Chase Freedom Unlimited® — 3% BT fee, 0% for 15 months
- Best for fair credit: Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®
- Best overall: Wells Fargo Reflect® Card — 21 months with good behavior
Our Top Balance Transfer Card Picks
- Longest 0% APR available
- No annual fee
- Cell phone protection included
- Up to 21 months with on-time payments
- 5% balance transfer fee
- No rewards program
- Requires good to excellent credit
- No late fees ever
- No penalty APR
- 21 months 0% intro APR
- 5% transfer fee (min $5)
- No rewards or cash back
- Balance must be transferred within 4 months
- 3% intro transfer fee (vs 5% elsewhere)
- Cash back rewards on new purchases
- Cashback Match first year
- No annual fee
- Transfer fee rises to 5% after intro period
- Not accepted everywhere vs. Visa/Mastercard
- Shorter 0% window than top picks
- Low 3% transfer fee
- No penalty APR
- Widely accepted Visa network
- No rewards program
- Must transfer within 60 days for intro rate
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Card | 0% APR Period | Transfer Fee | Annual Fee | Credit Needed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo Reflect® | 21 months | 5% | $0 | Good–Excellent | Longest period |
| Citi Simplicity® | 21 months | 5% | $0 | Good–Excellent | No late fees |
| Discover it® BT | 18 months | 3% intro | $0 | Good | Lowest fee |
| BankAmericard® | 18 months | 3% | $0 | Good | Simple option |
How Balance Transfers Actually Work
A balance transfer moves existing debt from a high-interest card to a new card with a 0% intro APR. During the intro period, 100% of your payment goes toward principal — not interest. This can dramatically speed up payoff.
For example: $8,000 at 22% APR costs you ~$147/month in interest alone. At 0%, that same $147 reduces your actual balance.
Is a Balance Transfer Right for You?
- You have good to excellent credit (typically 670+ FICO score)
- You have a realistic plan to pay off the balance within the 0% period
- Your debt is primarily credit card debt (not auto loans or mortgages)
- You can stop adding to the transferred balance
If you can't pay off the full balance during the intro period, you're not doomed — you'll just revert to the card's regular APR on the remaining balance. Still, any months at 0% are months of interest saved.
How to Calculate Your Savings
Take your current balance × your current APR ÷ 12 = monthly interest you're paying right now. Multiply by the number of months the 0% period lasts — that's approximately what you'll save. Subtract the transfer fee (typically 3–5% of transferred balance) for your net savings.
On $10,000 at 22% APR over 21 months: you'd normally pay ~$3,850 in interest. A 5% transfer fee costs $500. Net savings: ~$3,350.